by Blake Hinds
At night campus can be a scary place but lights allow for a feeling of comfort by students, however, some students don’t think there are enough lights on campus. Mike Johnson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management said it’s important to keep everyone on campus safe, no matter the time. “First and foremost it is student safety but faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, community members, spectators attending sports,” said Johnson. Safety is a group effort, parking and transit, university police, and senior leadership all play a role. “No one wants anyone to get hurt on campus,” said Johnson. Jordan Curry, a supply chain major who takes night classes on campus, and said he worries about response times. Curry said, “It is such a big campus and officers and those services can’t get everybody so
Facilities management has spent over a million dollars in upgrading roadways and lighting across campus. You can find over thirteen hundred lights across campus, but sophomore Finley Daniel said she wants more. “Whenever I was a freshman I lived in Reid behind Pat Walker, over by the Quads and Maple, it’s dark and there’s tons of areas someone could hide,” said Daniels. Johnson says education is crucial in making sure people are aware of whom to talk to if they’re worried about their safety. Johnson’s one tip is to travel with a buddy because there is always strength in numbers.